The Can Makers 2008 report shows continued and substantial growth in the UK market and a dynamic performance by drinks cans across Europe. In the UK, 8.2B cans were shipped to fillers, representing the ninth year of consecutive growth and an increase of 190M cans on 2006.
The increase was particularly positive in the soft drinks market, following several years of gradual decline. Beer and cider can shipments were up 1.8 per cent, despite poor summer weather and a lack of major sporting events, demonstrating real strength in the home market.
The 2008 report also sets out the position of the UK drinks can market on the environment and recycling, including the inherent properties of drinks cans that make them ideal for recycling, and an infrastructure that enables the drinks can industry to take back all cans that are collected.
The EU and UK Government’s short term target for recycling of all metals was to reach 50 per cent by 2008; DEFRA (The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs) reported that this target was exceeded for metals in 2007, with 53 per cent of all metals recycled.
Can Makers chairman Gary Aslam comments: “In 2007 we have seen some really encouraging results across all sectors, which further strengthen our position in the market and underlines the consumer demand for cans as the beverage pack of choice. The Can Makers are committed to promoting the recycling of all drinks cans and their environmental credentials; indeed, in the coming months we will be publishing some exciting new research in this area.”
